The second fieldwork campaign in July 2014 continued excavation in the two areas begun in the previous year and undertook an extensive geophysical survey in the fields immediately East and North of the nuraghe.

After the preliminary work of the 2013 season, the 2014 campaign effectively marked the start of careful stratigraphic excavation of well-preserved archaeological deposits around the nuraghe. Although the two areas under excavation are only some 25 m apart, and even if they are both directly adjacent to the outer defensive wall or ‘antemurale’ of the nuraghe, the 2014 excavations have brought to light very different contexts.

Area D is defined by a number of structures that were built at a time when the nuraghe and its outer defensive wall were already being abandoned and falling into disrepair. Two well-defined rooms have been brought to light that are separated by a narrow corridor or alley leading to the defensive wall, where a corresponding doorway was found into the nuraghe. One of these rooms (A) was partially built over a tower (7) of the outer wall, and the corridor and doorway were back-filled towards the end of the 2nd c. BC, which unambiguously demonstrates that by that time the monument had lost its original functions, and that everyday life at S’Urachi was structured very differently from what it had been in previous centuries.

Area E is by contrast almost devoid of ‘later’, i.e. ‘post-Nuragic’, structures, as a Phoenician-Punic style hearth or ‘tannur’ protected by a single L-shaped wall is the only construction that has come to light. So far, two phases have been observed at this structure, one poorly preserved and datable to the 3rd or 2nd c BC, and an earlier one of as yet imprecise date. Most of area E may be described as a large midden deposit of domestic trash mostly made up by large quantities of pottery and animal bones. The ceramic assemblage is dominated by local products, even if imported fine wares and amphorae are quite frequent, and may be dated to the 5th c. BC broadly speaking, ranging from the later 6th c. well into the 4th c. BC.

The geophysical survey was carried out using a magnetomer and georadar, but the rough and uneven terrain seriously constrained the latter. In all, 1.3 ha were investigated East of the nuraghe towards the site of Su Padrigheddu (Fasti site #2585). Abundant evidence of numerous probably collapsed structures was detected closer to the nuraghe, while several ovens and kilns and one or two possible houses were signaled further East. Given the state of the terrain, shovel tests and test pits will be required to gain a better understanding of the nature and chronology of these structures.